Legally Speaking

VirTra Simulated Training: A Closer Look

Intense—immersive—realistic.
VirTra training can put you into dicey situations that result in lethal force, or not. The Utah Attorney General’s Office is proud to employ VIRTRA training. It is realistic training with situations police officers face daily, which are not easy.
It’s an exciting tool that uses giant screens, intense surround sound, and a real-but-disabled handgun. Different situations play out on the screens as the trainee, playing the part of a police officer, moves around and shouts commands—trying to diffuse what’s occurring without using their weapon.
Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t.
Join us on this Legally Speaking episode as we dive deeper into VirTra training with Will Fowlke, the Training Center Director for the Investigations Division.

Ridd Case: Roomate Assaulted by a Virus

Poisoning a best friend and roommate. This podcast is a case study in the prosecution of a woman charged with poisoning her roommate in Millcreek, Utah.
In 2019, the Utah Attorney General’s office worked with federal authorities to convict Janie Lynn Ridd of abuse and possession of a biological agent. Charges state that Ridd purchased a Staphylococcus strain and gave it to her roommate over time. That roommate was supposed to be her best friend. 
It’s a case the Attorney General’s office worked on with the U.S. Department of Justice. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Michael Gadd, who commented on the case for Legally Speaking.

Utah Lawsuit Over Insulin Prices Continues

In November 2023, Utah filed a lawsuit against insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly, Novo, Nordisk, and Sanofi, as well as pharmacy benefits managers CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum RX. The lawsuit claims that the companies charge too much for insulin due to their pricing scheme.
Since filing, consumers have contacted our office and shared personal stories of their sacrifices to afford this crucial medicine.
Mark Holliday from our office is the lead attorney on the case for the state. Legally Speaking welcomes him with an update and his perspective on the situation.

Open Public Meetings Laws Keep the Public’s Business Public

Whenever a meeting involves the public’s business—whether it’s a city council, the legislature or any branch of state or local government—that meeting is subject to the Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
These days, there are many meetings in our state, and controversial issues are often discussed. The Utah Attorney General's Office is one of the entities authorized to field concerns about open meetings and enforce OPMA. The job belongs to the Civil Review Committee, led by Assistant Attorney General Elliott Clark, who joins Legally Speaking to discuss how OPMA works.
OPMA in Utah Code
OPMA Brochure

CART: Utah's Child Abduction Response Team

Child abductions and missing children, when they happen, are devastating to a family, and in fact to entire communities. A kidnapped or missing child is often cited as a parent’s worst nightmare. Although they’re relatively rare, a fast response is essential. Fortunately, law enforcement has crafted a response with the Utah Child Abduction Response Team or CART.
In the Utah Attorney General’s Office, the person leading our participation in the Utah CART is Sara Lundquist, who joins Legally Speaking to talk more about it.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: Preventing Medicaid Fraud and Abuse

The Utah Attorney General’s Office has an office dedicated to protecting the integrity of the Medicaid program. Working with federal agents, we take on fraud, waste, or abuse of the system. It’s called the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit—or MFCU.
Every state has a MFCU, but Utah received the 2023 Inspector General’s Award for Excellence, which is a huge feather in the cap of everyone who works in the office and to our guest, Kaye Lynn Wooten, its director. Listen to Kaye Lynn answer questions about how the MFCU does its job on behalf of victims and taxpayers.
To report fraud and/or abuse, visit the MFCU page on the Utah Attorney General's Website. 
Read more about a recent case where a man was convicted of a 2nd-degree felony and sent to prison for financial abuse of a vulnerable adult—his mother.

Aaron Shamo: Drug Kingpin Brought to Justice

This Legally Speaking episode examines one of the largest dark net drug trafficking cases in Utah.
In 2019, Aaron Shamo was sentenced to life in prison under the Controlled Substance Act for running a massive Fentanyl and Xanax manufacturing and distribution scheme.
A case of this magnitude is fascinating. In this interview, Assistant Attorney General Michael Gadd, who worked with the Department of Justice, shares more details about this case.
Explore these resources to learn more:
DOJ News Release on Shamo’s Conviction
Shamo accomplices convicted
CNBC Documentary on Shamo case

Why State Agency Counsel Matters

Is the AG’s Office Utah's law firm?
One of the Constitutional functions of the Utah Attorney General’s office is to act as counsel for every state agency. In essence, the office is the state’s law firm. State Agency Counsel is one of the divisions comprising hundreds of attorneys at the AGO.
Our office has attorneys who work exclusively for various state agencies as their attorneys and specialize in specific areas. Amanda Montague oversees this little-known office function every day.
This episode of Legally Speaking explains just how important the work performed by these attorneys is.